Although the work of tinkering with an NFL roster is never done, the 2024 Denver Broncos are definitely coming into focus. Free agency and the NFL Draft are now in the rearview, and aside from a couple of moves here and there, you can likely expect some combination of the guys currently on the roster to make up the team you'll see on the field come September.
Now that the 2024 NFL Draft is over, what do we expect the 53-man roster to look like? Let's make a way-too-early prediction.
Denver Broncos 53-man roster prediction after 2024 NFL Draft
Quarterback: 3
Bo Nix
Zach Wilson
Jarrett Stidham
As of right now, I've got the Broncos keeping three quarterbacks. Bo Nix will hopefully win the starting job outright, and you really can't help but hope it just doesn't take the Broncos all that long to make that announcement. Move forward with the new era.
Zach Wilson was recently acquired in a trade with the New York Jets, and having his talent on the roster is exciting even though the first few years of his career have been disappointing. Jarrett Stidham is someone this staff has believed in before, but where does he stand after recent moves?
It wouldn't be surprising to see Stidham as a potential trade candidate after the preseason, assuming Zach Wilson plays well enough to keep. Wilson has plenty of starting experience to step in if the need arises, and the Broncos are obviously high on his talent.
Running back: 5
Javonte Williams
Audric Estimé
Samaje Perine
Jaleel McLaughlin
Michael Burton (FB)
The big surprise here could potentially be releasing or trading Samaje Perine. Perine was so involved last year as a third-down back, but more than that, we almost strictly saw Perine on the field when it came to end-of-half situations. Does Sean Payton want to compromise that role?
I flirted with the idea of replacing Perine with undrafted rookie free agent Blake Watson, but Watson may be more likely to replace Jaleel McLaughlin, which would be an offseason shocker.
Wide receiver: 6
Courtland Sutton
Tim Patrick
Marvin Mims
Josh Reynolds
Troy Franklin
Lil'Jordan Humphrey
It's going to be a much deeper group of receivers than we've become accustomed to in Broncos Country. Oddly enough, this is one of the older position groups on the team right now. Courtland Sutton trade rumors don't seem to be going anywhere, and if the Broncos plan to keep him, it's going to be a fascinating dynamic to watch.
If Tim Patrick can stay healthy, this unit could absolutely cook in 2024. The addition of Josh Reynolds gives the Broncos another chain mover and big play threat. Marvin Mims taking the next step in 2024 would give this offense a huge, needed boost. Troy Franklin coming in through the NFL Draft is an outstanding move because of his chemistry with rookie QB Bo Nix.
Tight End: 3
Adam Trautman
Greg Dulcich
Lucas Krull
It wouldn't be a surprise to see the Broncos potentially add at least one more name here, but I also believe they really like Lucas Krull and his development. The numbers game with this roster setup doesn't really work to add a fourth tight end, but don't be shocked to see the Broncos bring in someone else with experience.
Greg Dulcich hasn't been able to stay on the field and stay healthy, but if he can, he'll be a huge weapon for this offense.
Offensive Line: 8
Garett Bolles
Ben Powers
Alex Forsyth
Quinn Meinerz
Mike McGlinchey
Calvin Throckmorton
Luke Wattenberg
Alex Palczewski
I could see the Broncos keeping anywhere between 8-10 offensive linemen. The starting five seems to be set if the team is rolling with Alex Forsyth at center. That position is currently the only one with a question mark on the starting lineup, but it may not be much of a question mark behind closed doors for the team. They like Forsyth and believe the only reason he fell in the draft last year was due to medicals.
The backups here will be what's interesting to monitor. Former UDFA Alex Palczewski made the 53-man roster last year after a great preseason, but was on IR most of the year. He's going to have to do it all over again this offseason. Calvin Throckmorton and Luke Wattenberg give you positional versatility among your top backups.
It's going to be tough for the Broncos to cut guys like Demontrey Jacobs, Sam Mustipher, Matt Peart, and undrafted rookie Frank Crum. The reserve offensive line positions will be a battle in the offseason.
Defensive line: 6
Zach Allen
John Franklin-Myers
DJ Jones
Malcolm Roach
Angelo Blackson
Rashard Lawrence
This position group for the Broncos is one of the most different looking from last year out of any on the roster. Rightfully so. It looks like the top five spots here are going to be all but set in stone barring injury with the additions of John Franklin-Myers, Malcolm Roach, and Angelo Blackson.
The Broncos brought in Rashard Lawrence as a reserve/futures player. He's a former 4th-round pick of the Cardinals out of LSU who has experience playing for Vance Joseph. He's a wild card to watch, but the Broncos could also keep Matt Henningsen, a 6th-rounder from the 2022 class.
One other player to watch will be Eyioma Uwazurike coming back. It's best to expect nothing from him at this point and be surprised if he ends up playing a role, but coming off of a year-long suspension, the Broncos haven't released him. He could play a role.
EDGE - 4
Jonathon Cooper
Baron Browning
Nik Bonitto
Jonah Elliss
Do the Denver Broncos still lack a true "alpha" off the edge? Maybe. The team is clearly holding out hope that someone currently in this group can develop into that particular player. They got big strides this past year from Jonathon Cooper and Nik Bonitto, and the team still longs for Baron Browning to be able to stay on the field consistently.
Jonah Elliss coming in via the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft is fascinating. He was outstanding at Utah and has tremendous traits and a great pass rush plan. He's pro-ready as a rusher and should be a factor right away.
Inside Linebacker - 5
Alex Singleton
Cody Barton
Drew Sanders
Jonas Griffith
Justin Strnad
The NFL's new kickoff rule could alter the way teams prioritize the off-ball linebacker position when building their rosters. You've got to have good athletes here, and you've got to have playmakers who can help on special teams coverage units.
When you look at this group, there's not a single question about special teams ability. The question is -- who is starting next to Alex Singleton? Hopefully, it's Drew Sanders. Sanders was the 67th pick overall in last year's draft and he needs to be on the field. The Broncos don't seem to be able to decide what he is, whether they keep him at inside linebacker or move him back to EDGE.
Cornerback - 6
Pat Surtain II
Riley Moss
Ja'Quan McMillian
Damarri Mathis
Levi Wallace
Kris Abrams-Draine
Special teams will be a determining factor for the bottom of this position group, meaning Damarri Mathis had better be ready to play some special teams. If he's not ready to contribute there immediately, then the Broncos might go with someone else and he could get the boot.
Ideally, you'd like to keep this group right here with its combination of youth and upside. We've yet to determine who is going to be starting at outside corner opposite Pat Surtain, but the Broncos brought in Levi Wallace to "raise the floor" of that competition.
Safety - 4
Brandon Jones
Caden Sterns
PJ Locke
JL Skinner
It's still weird to not see Justin Simmons on this list. The longtime Denver Broncos star is still a free agent at the time of this post being written, and hopefully he would be willing to come back if the circumstances allow for it.
If not, the Broncos have a young group here. Brandon Jones was one of their top priorities in free agency, and the combination of Jones, Sterns, and Locke was teammates at Texas. The Broncos need this group to stay healthy. They have playmaking ability, but do they have longevity?
This feels like a bit of a boom or bust group in 2024.
Special teams - 3
Wil Lutz
Riley Dixon
Mitchell Fraboni
There aren't going to be any theatrics here, in all likelihood. Unless we see a young punter come up big during the offseason program, we're not likely to see a major change. But if Riley Dixon can't prove to be substantially better than a rookie coming in, the Broncos might take the cap savings.
It's early there, but that may be something to watch for.